BEDA #11

I am not a very big fan of Lookbook.

Most of the people on there look the same. Some of the cliches I have noticed are shorts and those spotty, see through tights, legs so skinny that their thighs don't touch even when they stand up straight with their feet together, strange hats, many different floral prints on one outfit and belts. Lots of belts. I expect lots of people would argue that I should shut up because that is fashion and Lookbook is a fashion website, but I think it's a bit of a shame that fashion has become so narrow minded. It's not really self-expression if everyone's doing it. It's not showing your individuality if everyone looks the same. It's not creativity if you have copied other people. And that's just the clothing. Then there are the poses. Standing in a field looking slightly downwards. Leaning against a wall with one leg bent behind you. Hands in pockets looking into the distance. Bending forwards with your arms either side and your wrists flicking outwards. Or any combination of the aforementioned variables. It's all so generic!

As stated on the website, the goal of Lookbook is "To bring together diverse, aesthetically talented and open-minded people from around the world and showcase the best in international street fashion." There is so much irony in this aim and what is on the website. Absolutely, people from all around the world use it, which is definitely diverse. But visually, it's a very un-diverse collection of people. Their hair colour and eye shape and skin tones may differ, but how they present their bodies is very much similar. I also find it hard to gauge where open-mindedness comes in; Lookbook is an invite only website. I find it utterly discriminatory that you can only post your "Looks" on the website if someone else believes you qualify as aesthetically pleasing enough to receive an invitation. Surely this is the least open-minded system possible, as it obviously has some sort of pre-conception of the sorts of people they want on their site, else they'd be welcoming towards anybody.

I have nothing against the people on Lookbook; I have several friends on there, all of whom are unfairly attractive and fashion-concious. I just find it puzzling that a place for displaying individuality, personal expression and creativity is so nonspecific.